ADHD in the News 2024-03-21

One in 10 U.S. School-Age Kids Have ADHD: Report

Key Takeaways: About 1 in every 10 U.S. kids between the ages of 5 and 17 now has ADHD, a new report finds; Boys are more likely to have ADHD than girls, and white kids are more likely to be diagnosed than Black or Hispanic children; Family income and insurance status were also factors in ADHD diagnosis



Methylphenidate Linked to Small Increase in CV Event Risk

TOPLINE: Methylphenidate was associated with a small increased risk for cardiovascular events in individuals taking the drug for more than 6 months in a new cohort study.



Substance Use in Pregnancy Ups Risk of ADHD For Child

General medical advice to pregnant people is to avoid drinking alcohol, smoking, and using substances such as cannabis because of the potential harm to both mother and child. Now a study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine bolsters that advice by showing an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children whose mothers used these substances while pregnant.



PTSD in pregnant women may affect the risk of ADHD in the child

A comprehensive registry study led by Anna-Clara Hollander, associate professor at the Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, shows that children of women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) right before or during pregnancy are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD later in life. The study is published in the journal European Psychiatry.



Antipsychotic use during pregnancy not linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties

The use of antipsychotics during pregnancy isn't linked to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders or learning difficulties, UNSW Sydney-led study shows – giving assurance to those concerned about continuing their medications during pregnancy.



Abnormal brain structure identified in children with developmental language problems

A rigorous analysis of numerous studies concludes that a part of the brain traditionally associated with movement is abnormal in children with developmental language impairments, according to Georgetown University Medical Center neuroscientists. The discovery has the potential to improve both the diagnosis and treatment of the language difficulties.



3 Revealing PCC Autism Studies

Clinical relevance: New research projects that lift the veil surrounding autism.
  • Challenges in managing an 8-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessment, tailored interventions, and ongoing research.
  • Vaccination uptake in siblings of children with developmental delay, reveals significantly lower rates compared to siblings without delay.
  • Sex-based differences in psychiatric comorbidities among adolescents with ASD highlight higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders in females and increased prevalence of ADHD and conduct disorders in males.



Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Research Roundup: March 15, 2024

In this Research Roundup, we explore new studies on special topics in child and adolescent psychiatry, including ADHD medication adherence, perceptions of tobacco use, gender-specific effects of professional photoshoots on self-esteem, and more in this patient population.



Inattentive ADHD affecting women & young girls

The disorder may not be as obvious to those who have it, making it difficult to diagnose.



When Depression Is Really Untreated ADHD

If you live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you might know what it’s like to struggle with accomplishing all you set out to do. For some people, ADHD affects focus, making it hard to meet deadlines at work. For others, ADHD might increase hyperactivity, making it easy to create to-do lists, but hard to follow through on them.